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Friday, October 30, 2015

Informed Consent is not, in my opinion, meant to create controversy, but to encourage one to think about how and why one's beliefs formed, why we hold them so dear, and to consider the possibility that we're not necessarily all correct, nor are we all necessarily wrong. What do our beliefs mean for humanity and which of them are right?Inspired by a real-life story of a Native American tribe and a genetic anthropologist, Informed Consent asks some difficult questions. I, for one, like it like that. At the same time, I enjoyed the healthy dose of humor throughout the play.

Informed Consent | Horizon Theatre

Horizon Theatre has once again brought to Atlanta performing arts enthusiasts a play, and magnificent performance, that entertains, as well as is incredibly thought-provoking.From Horizon Theatre's website:

"Jillian, an ambitious geneticist, is racing against her own genetic clock to solve scientific mysteries that will save both a Native American tribe and her own 4-year-old daughter. She jumps at the chance to do ground-breaking research to find out why an ancient tribe in the Grand Canyon is being devastated by diabetes. But as Jillian uncovers the truth about the tribe’s origin, her research threatens to destroy their most sacred traditions. At the same time, she and her husband face off with a monster lurking in Jillian’s own DNA—and possibly her daughter’s. With today’s science moving at breakneck speed, how much knowledge is too much?"

Informed Consent | Horizon Theatre

I've shared before that my grandmother and great grandmother were born on a Cherokee reservation in North Carolina. I know I don't look Indian and that LOTS of people claim to have Indian blood, but I do. I just look like the English-Irish side of my biological father's family.My point is that while I fully relate to scientific exploration for medical advancement, I totally get the incredibly strong desire to preserve a relatively untouched Indian (Native American) culture—a culture in America's West in the case of this play. The battle on stage is one that I live with daily. I side with science, but loath that the Cherokee, and other Native American cultures, are practically extinct. Don't even get me started on the genocide that took place in our country's early history. That's a discussion for another forum, but that's what this play brings to the table...it's a segue to conversations about medical advancement possibilities, as well as the importance of preservation of cultures.

Informed Consent | Horizon Theatre

I totally understand that reviews of plays are—hopefully—a composition of words and phrases to entice or discourage. I don't consider what I write to be reviews, but a sharing of a personal experience. I'm not critiquing performances. I'm sharing with my readers what I found to be interesting, educational and entertaining.This play, for me, exited my tendency to question! Not to question others in an attempt to convince them to join my point of view or to dissuade others to not side with an alternate line of thought, but just to share my own personal revelations, challenges, and experiences...and sometimes I use questioning as an avenue to enlightenment or greater understanding.

Informed Consent | Horizon Theatre

Seeing more and more theatre all the time, of which I've been a fan since I was a youngster, I love that I'm seeing actors in multiple performances across Atlanta. When I saw that Neal Ghant, who performs Graham, Jillian's husband, was in the play I knew that it would be spectacular. I'd seen Neal not too long ago in the 20th Anniversary performance of Blues for an Alabama Sky at Alliance Theatre. Having loved that play when I'd seen it debut at Woodruff Arts Center 20 years ago, starring Phylicia Rashad, I had to see the anniversary show...and did...twice!Other actors in the all-star Atlanta cast of Informed Consent, which I'd see three times, include Bethany Anne Lind as the central role of scientist Jillian, Diany Rodriguez as Native American leader Arella, Carey Curtis Smith as professor Ken and Tonia Jackson as several important women in Jillian’s life. I had the awesome pleasure of seeing Informed Consent on Opening Night, which was followed by a reception at the home of a generous and hospitable local couple, regular supporters of Horizon Theatre. They were delightful hosts and the entire cast from the play was in attendance, socializing with everyone who had just seen the performance.I very much enjoyed discussing Indian culture with Diany Rodriguez, as well as meeting and talking with the other actors. I didn't know about the Opening Night Reception until the pre-show announcements...what an awesome surprise!

Informed Consent | Horizon Theatre

The final lines of the play felt like a compromise to me personally, but I imagine that much of the rest of the audience was put a little at comfort—a happy ending of sorts. Again, it challenged me to consider if I'm open to other ideas or stubbornly set in my ways. This is a good conundrum.I've observed the human condition all of my life. I've observed different cultures all of my life, including one observation (read: experience) that was the straw that broke the camels back and why I moved thousands of miles away the summer before my senior year in high school. But that's another story, too.Quite, little shy me had learned to question authority....a decision that change my life's path for the better! That's to say that I felt at peace with the heavy-hitting questions this play presents.Informed Consent is in its final weeks at Horizon Theatre, on stage through Sunday, November 8, 2015. This was one of the more cerebral, yet entertaining, performances I've seen in Atlanta in the more than five years since I moved back. I highly recommend seeing this superb performance.

The above sparkle-eyed, height-challenged skeletons by grace the Garden annually, in different costumes and scene. I don't know their makers, Swan Princesses, but I'm a total fan of their Ghoulin Rouge skeletons! I'm also a fan of Moulin Rouge! the movie and am looking very much forward t seeing Atlanta Ballet's Moulin Rouge The Ballet in February!

Cinema is a big influence on this year's scarecrows. The 2nd Place winner is Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy...he's awesome!If you're a regular at Scarecrows in the Garden, there's a significant change this year. The scarecrows are typically only on the Promenade, the Southern Seasons Garden and the Children's Garden. The Children's Garden is undergoing renovation, so no scarecrows there this year. Instead, they've expanded into the Alston Overlook, the Crepe Myrtle Allee and the Perennial Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Not just because my name begins with a "T" and not just because I'm a dinosaur enthusiast...I love the "Mr. T" scarecrow created by the Driscoll Family! If you've ever watched The A Team, you get the humor and how clever this is.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've loved trains since I was a little kid. One of the first I was on was the American Freedom Train in 1976! I didn't understand what a wonderful experience that was at the time, I just knew that I got to get on a train where I got to see a Moon buggy!"The Little Engine that BOO!", created by NS Better Together, is truly magnificent, and the Garden placed him near the Model Train display at Alston Overlook.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Model Train display has been transformed into a "ghost town" for Scarecrows in the Garden! It's this kind of attention to detail that makes me a fan of the Atlanta Botanical Garden year after year. And have you heard that Chihuly is returning?!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The scarecrows are created by businesses, individuals, schools and organizations. My personal favorites are the ones that are clever. The one above, by Braxton Automotive, titled "Carlton", is brilliant, funny and clever! I don't know Braxton or Carlton, but can tell how much fun they had putting this together!

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you'd like to explore the Atlanta Botanical Garden more in depth, may I recommend a guided tour. They're available to Garden visitors Tuesdays-Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

Scarecrows in the Garden 2015 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

There's one more "Fest-of-Ale" event this month...this coming Thursday night! During Fest-of-Ale events, the Garden is open until 10:00 p.m. The Cafe at Linton's in the Garden is open for dinner and the new Linton's Petit Cafe is also open during Fest-of-Ale. Be sure to bring a flashlight to see all the scarecrows if you're visiting after dark!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

You have only a few more days to see the spectacular Peter Pan onstage at the Center for Puppetry Arts. This show is perfect for the families and kids at heart! I'm a member of the latter.

Peter Pan | Center for Puppetry Arts

I've seen a number of versions of Peter Pan throughout my life and just when I thought there couldn't be yet another way to (brilliantly) present the classic, the Center for Puppetry Arts again astounds.Finding Neverland, based on J.M. Barrie's inspiration for Peter Pan the book, is one of my favorite movies. Starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, when you see this movie you're going to laugh, laugh, laugh, but bring some Kleenex, too. That movie was one of the reasons I wanted to see this puppet performance...that, and being a kid at heart.

Peter Pan | Center for Puppetry Arts

There are a number of different kinds of puppets used in this performance—with only five puppeteers running the entire show!—and they're all painted with black light paint, the puppets, the scenery and the props!On a behind the scenes tour—a couple of weeks after I'd seen the performance—I made a joke about black light giving me flashbacks to the 70s. One person "got it" and we both had a nostalgic laugh.

Peter Pan | Center for Puppetry Arts

One of the interesting things we learned on the tour was that the puppets, scenery and props had to be painted under black light conditions. The paint color under normal lighting looks very different from what you see during the show...it was fascinating to see first-hand! And it was awesome to see Big Ben up close!

Peter Pan | Center for Puppetry Arts

The performance I attended was a full house! There were lots of kids and not having spent a lot of time around kids in a long time I was experiencing a little trepidation. There was a lot going on in the audience, but as soon as the show started, a blanket of quiet and calm rolled across the auditorium. I'd never seen anything quite like it. The best part was the kids laughing in unison...there's nothing that evokes pure happiness than the authentic laughter of delighted children.By the way, if you're a parent looking for a parent/family blogger to follow, look to my friends at 365 Atlanta Family and Field Trips with Sue...both are absolutely wonderful!

Peter Pan | Center for Puppetry Arts

You may know that the museum at the Center for Puppetry Arts is temporarily closed for a major renovation, but their performances are still on--obviously--during said renovation.Mark your calendars for the Grand Opening of the new museum on November 14, 2015...I've enjoyed a preview and it's world-class magnificent! Seriously...you're going to be blown away, AND there's going to be a celebrity puppet appearance!

Peter Pan | Center for Puppetry Arts

Peter Pan, as performed at the Center for Puppetry Arts, is adapted by Michael Haverty, directed by Amy Sweeney and based on the book by J.M. Barrie.I was so incredibly delighted by this performance. I hope you'll make time to see it this weekend.(Thank you to Brave PR for the tickets and the wonderful experience! Allow me to remind my readers, even when treated to a performance, all opinions expressed on wanderlust ATLANTA are my own, as they always have been.)

Sunday, October 18, 2015

My second visit to Aurora Theatre totally reinforced my original opinion of the venue. It's fantastic! This time I went to see Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a co-production with Horizon Theatre. This story showcases brilliant writing and the acting is superb! You will find yourself experiencing a wide range of emotion...laughter, sentiment, introspection, but mostly laughter.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | Aurora Theatre

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is running at Aurora Theatre, finishing on Sunday, October 25, so you have a whole week to see this magnificent play!Why should you see Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike? The description on the Aurora Theatre website says it best, and succinctly:

"Melancholy turns into mayhem when Vanya and his sister, Sonia—along with their clairvoyant housekeeper, Cassandra—are paid a surprise visit by their movie star sibling, Masha, and her boy-toy, Spike. This zany new comedy that took Broadway by storm in 2013 borrows characters and themes from Chekhov, pours them into a blender and mixes them up–and the results are an utterly hilarious and occasionally touching story of regret, sibling rivalry, and growing older."

This was my second time seeing the show, and I'd see it again in a heartbeat! One of my favorite scenes in the play was William S. Murphey's (Vanya) tirade contrasting his generation (closer to my own) against that of today's generation (Millennials). It was moving in so many ways, and while I cherish my childhood memories, I don't think younger generations are all that different from any preceding generation. Every generation is different...it'd be naive to think otherwise. But nostalgia can be great fun.Tess Malis Kincaid (Masha) was by far the most transformed personality in the play. She left home to pursue an acting career and returns with Spike, and a totally self-centered plan for a costume party! But as they say, things change. Then there's Masha's nemesis Cassandra, performed by Denise Arribas, who is definitely the more animated personalities on stage...you're going to laugh so hard! The icing on the cake on this particular visit to Aurora Theatre was getting to meet so many of the cast after the show. We thoroughly enjoyed talking with Lala Cochran (Sonia) and Edward McCreary (Spike). LaLa is just as hilarious in real life as she is on stage. We enjoyed quite a few laughs and she was anxious to hear what we thought about the performance...we raved, of course. When we told Edward that that evening was the third time we've seen him perform (Memphis), he was cheerful and grateful. I love it when stars make time to enthusiastically speak with true fans. Five of the six actors also performed in the Horizon Theatre show. In the Aurora Theatre production, India Sada Tyree performed the role of Nina, the visiting from out-of-town neighbor who catches Spike's eye. It turns out that Barry, my best friend who went with me, and India are both from Virginia and both went to Old Dominion University! India is an apprentice with Aurora and I wish her great success!If you think this sounds like an awesome play, and it is, then start to ponder the drive to Lawrenceville, consider this... Atlanta Magazine recently published an interview with restaurateur Ryan Pernice, who owns and operates two restaurants in Roswell, just outside of Atlanta. While he's speaking to Metro Atlanta's dining experiences, I'm in full agreement with him as it applies to being a tourist, local or visiting: "you’re missing out if you stay in your zip code."I spend a lot of time ITP (inside the perimeter, the perimeter being Interstate 285), but I love that I've had so many wonderful experiences by venturing OTP. Yes, yes...we Atlantans have too long made the "gotta get my passport stamped" joke about going OTP. I say it's time to give it a rest and go experience ALL that Metro Atlanta has to offer, which is a LOT, including one of my new favorite theatres, Aurora Theatre.Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett County's only professional theater, is two shows into its 31st season, and from personal experience they know what they're doing...they know how to make theater-going a wonderful experience, and their 2015-2016 season lineup is spectacular, too.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

I want to encourage you to attend the next and final performances of the year by Atlanta Ballet's touring Wabi Sabi. The photos in this post are of a Wabi Sabi performance I attended this past summer at the High Museum of Art, which is where they'll again be performing on Friday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m., among the museum's Los Trompos exhibition!

Atlanta Ballet's Wabi Sabi | High Museum of Art

On this particular evening, Atlanta Ballet's Wabi Sabi multi-performance program began with Heath Gill-choreographed IDYLL, which I'd seen earlier in the year at the Atlanta Botanical Garden—the site where I saw Atlanta Ballet perform in advance of seeing them on stage for the very first time.

Atlanta Ballet's Wabi Sabi | High Museum of Art

It was awesome to see the same performance at a different venue, which of course made it not the same at all. That's one of the beauties of Wabi Sabi...it brings ballet into the community, at various venues throughout the Atlanta area, each a unique experience away from the classic stage.

There are so many reasons to fall in love with Atlanta Ballet...one performance and you're hooked! It's one of those arts that captures imaginations and allures the least suspecting future fan. It's that strongly appealing an expression of the story of humanity. Am I over romanticizing ballet? I think not.

Atlanta Ballet's Wabi Sabi | High Museum of Art

I was incredibly impressed with how elegant and powerful this performance was given the heat of Atlanta summers! All Atlanta Ballet performances I've had the privilege of experiencing have been magnificent, and I find myself beaming with excitement that a performance that is subject to Mother Nature and the draw of other summer attractions still draws a massive, enthusiastic crowd!

Atlanta Ballet's Wabi Sabi | High Museum of Art

Wabi Sabi is a program of Atlanta Ballet that features a series off-campus performances...they bring the art of ballet into the community. It was founded more than 10 years ago by Atlanta Ballet danceur John Welker, entering his 21st season with Atlanta Ballet! That's John pictured above with Nadia Mara, entering her 10th season with Atlanta Ballet, another of my favorite dancers.

Atlanta Ballet's Wabi Sabi | High Museum of Art

This particular Wabi Sabi performance was performed at various outdoor vistas on the High Museum of Art campus, but the dancing stories above the lawn was unexpected and spectacular!Atlanta Ballet's 2015-2016 season opens with Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker, one of Atlanta's beloved traditions, on December 11 and will run through December 27 on stage at the iconic Fox Theatre.

Atlanta Ballet's Wabi Sabi | High Museum of Art

The coming season looks spectacular! Having seen every show in their 2014-2015 season—an absolutely magnificent experience—I do believe I'm most looking forward to the upcoming Moulin Rouge The Ballet show the most! As the most famous cabaret in history, you know the ballet is going to be fantastic, especially as performed by Atlanta Ballet!I'm quite passionate here...if you've not seen Atlanta Ballet, you're in for a magnificent experience when you do. And I love their range of classic to contemporary style.

Los Trompos | Sifly Plaza | High Museum of Art

Mark your calendars and be sure you see the season's final Atlanta BalletWabi Sabi performance at the High Museum of Art in Sifly Plaza among their Los Trompos exhibition, pictured above.And check out the 2015-2016 Atlanta Ballet season!(The photos in this post were all captured by me and the opinions in this post are all my own expression. A great many of the Wabi Sabi performances are free to the public, as was this one.)

Of course that entree transforms into one of the greatest performing groups of the 1960s, one that many generations since know quite well...or are at the very least are fans of their music, whether they know the name of the band or not.Aaron De Jesus as Frankie Valli is perfect casting. His voice...that voice...takes you right back to the years when you heard that music for the first time. And I imagine his performance of the real Frankie to be perfection.

Jersey Boys | Fox Theatre, Atlanta | Jeremy Daniel

I was talking about the show with my friend Nikki after seeing it Tuesday night, and she told me about when she saw the show at the Fox Theatre a few years earlier, not sure what she was getting into...but when experiencing the show she knew song after song after song...

Jersey Boys | Fox Theatre, Atlanta | Jeremy Daniel

It was a very similar experience for me. I know the majority of The Four Seasons' music, just didn't remember that it was their music. I'm more of a movie buff, although I love music, I just don't always know the bands' names of the music I've loved over the years.

Jersey Boys | Fox Theatre, Atlanta | Jeremy Daniel

I did notice that the audience weighed more heavily on the fairer sex...there were more women in attendance than there were men. Of course that's not unexpected given the fan base of this 1960s bands. Did you know that The Four Seasons' fandom preceded the British Invasion?

Jersey Boys | Fox Theatre, Atlanta | Photo: Joan Marcus

Keith Hines, who performed the role of Nick Massi, was the humor relief...a huge persona, of subtle impression, who happened to be one of the funniest in the show. I really like this character, and his brilliant acting.

The set of this show isn't anything I've not seen before, but then again I've not seen this particular show when it hit Broadway 10 years ago, so I can't say that they didn't innovate any particular aspect of the set...it's brilliant either way. I LOVE the giant comic on-screen renditions of the relative scenes in which that effect was used. Brilliant!As a reminder, I only ever offer my genuine opinion on any performance, attraction or experience I write about. With that said, I'd like to offer BRAVE PR a "Thank You!" for the tickets to this show. It was a marvelous experience!You can read more about this performance in this Playbill article, and be sure to read the Brett Love article in your Encore Atlanta program that you receive when attending the show. Or better yet, make your way to the Fox Theatre to see Jersey Boys by Sunday, October 11, 2015. Your ears will love you for it!

Friday, October 2, 2015

About a week ago I discovered on Instagram that Charlie Ross was going to be in town to perform One Man Star Wars...I immediately purchased my ticket to see the show! I'd been to ART Station before, in Historic Stone Mountain Village, and I like the theater quite a lot...the staff are amazing! Getting to see a show I thoroughly enjoyed before—10 years ago—was such great fun!

Charlie Ross & Travis | One Man Star Wars | ART Station

Even after a totally high-energy performance, Charlie stuck around to hang out with fans and theater staff. I've met a lot of celebrities over the years, but it's rare that I'm star-struck...I get excited, but not star-struck. Meeting Charlie I found myself dumbfounded and totally star-struck!But, Charlie quickly put me at ease and before I knew it we were laughing and cutting up like old friends who were just having a great time catching up.Along the lines of "a long time ago..." (think opening of Star Wars), ART Station has a long and interesting history. In fact, more than 100 years ago, the building was a trolley station and street car barn. Today it's a multi-purpose, multi-experience destination!

I wasn't familiar with the above video series, but it's a lot of fun. In the actual stage performance, Charlie performs all three movies in the original Star Wars Trilogy, all the major characters, all in 60 minutes...with zero props!When I lived in Washtington, D.C., my friend Jay took me to see One Man Star Wars at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. That was something like 10 years ago! Charlie has performed at Woolly Mammoth a number of times and recalled it fondly. This was his third time performing the show in the Atlanta area.

501st Garrison and Rebel Legion with Travis | ART Station

Members of the 501st Georgia Garrison and the Bespin Base Rebel Legion were on hand to greet visitors and pose for photos—totally awesome! But, when the young lady who made this photo using my phone turned it around to snap the shot, Chewy growled upon spotting the Star Trek symbol on my phone cover. Lucky for me he wasn't wielding a wrench!Immediately after the show, Department 88, a genre-defying music duo that's "relevant, relatable, unique, strange, diverse, and humorous," performed an awesome hour-long set. These guys are incredibly talented! "Like" their Facebook page and go see them perform the first chance you get! Now, to to the present... Keep an eye on Charlie's One Man Star Warswebsite to see when he's coming to a performance venue near you. ALSO, keep an eye on ART Station's website for upcoming performances, events and other activities...there's a LOT going on here and it's a lot closer than you might think.Thank you, Charlie, Department 88, 501st Georgia Garrison, Bespin Base Rebel Legion and ART Station for an awesome evening!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

I want to share with you a few of my favorite images of the Atlanta Botanical Garden from a couple of daytime visits this past summer. Keep in mind that some of these were made inside the Orchid Center, so you can enjoy the same beauty during winter.

Earth Goddess being hand watered | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I love, love, love this photo of Earth Goddess! How awesome to capture her hand being hand-watered.My friend Wendy was visiting from Washington, DC, and we were just starting our walk across the Canopy Walk when we saw this...and I started snapping. This was Wendy's first visit to the Garden and Earth Goddess impresses...it's usually a first-stop when I'm touring friends around Atlanta Botanical Garden their first time.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Keep your eyes open...there is so much incredible beauty to see, smell, hear...to experience! Mind what you touch and taste, of course.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

There were a LOT of butterflies, of various species, at the Garden on this particular visit. I got some pretty good shots of a couple of them. Even at my age, chasing butterflies is great fun.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've always loved the lily pads at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and they've had them for many, many years...now throughout the Garden! There have been lilies in the fountain in front of the Fuqua Conservatory since it opened in 1989...when I remember a certain three-piece "Nessie" topiary that ran the length of that water feature.I love the above photo not only for the gorgeous flower, but also for the goldfish just poking its head out just from under the lily pad.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've also always loved the pattern of dragonflies, although I tried as a kid to avoid them when swimming in lakes and rivers. They've been immortalized in many forms of art and their symbolism spans more topics than I can possibly share here, but the one that I think I like the most is "change"...something I've embraced as a desirable ability for many years.

The Nepenthes Pitcher Plant...stunning! Did you know that the Dale Chihuly sculpture in the Hardin Visitor Center at the Atlanta Botanical Garden was fashioned after this plant? If not, the next time you visit, have a look at the top of the sculpture and you'll see three pieces that have maroon colored lips. You'll immediately recognize them as Nepenthes Pitcher Plants!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you love honey as much as I do, you naturally love bees. My mother is terribly allergic to bee stings, but I've thus far avoided that devastating sentence. They're fascinating creatures and give us so much more than many realize.

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Growing up my favorite color was orange. It's now dark red, but I still love a vibrant orange, except maybe for the invasive construction cone! It's much too prevalent in traffic these days. But, orange flowers...give me all you got!

A Day in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm not exactly sure how large this particular variety of lily pad can grow, but I seem to recall hearing on a garden tour many years ago that it can grow approximately six feet wide! These particular ones were several feet wide when I made this photo...stunning no matter their diameter! I hope these few photos inspire you to break out your camera and visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden, during every season! Throughout its 30 acres, there is delightful beauty and magnificent splendor to discover. Treat yourself!